Time is running out to submit your nomination for the 2020 Bencher Election. Nominations close September 16, so make sure to submit your nominations soon to give your nominators time to complete the online nomination process.

Research shows that greater diversity in organizations helps foster more effective decision-making. Equity, diversity and inclusion promotes a profession that is representative of the public it serves, and lawyers from traditionally under-represented communities (including BIPOC, LGBTQ, female and newer lawyers) are strongly encouraged to consider running.

For more information on the nomination process, including the nomination form, visit the Bencher Election website. Learn more about what the Board is likely to experience in the next five years in this video.

Commencing September 8, 2020, all matters with viva voce evidence including criminal, family and civil trials will be heard entirely in person in COVID-safe courtrooms. If any remote witnesses or video conference testimony is required, the exact date and times of the testimony must be scheduled with the appropriate Court Coordinator at least two weeks in advance. This is subject to resource availability. Remote testimony must still be approved by the presiding Justice but needs to be arranged in advance.

 

The default for all hearings without viva voce evidence will be via video conference. If a party is unable to attend remotely, they may request an in person hearing through the appropriate Court Coordinator, which is subject to courtroom availability.

Jury selection and jury trials, paused since the March 15, 2020, suspension of regular Court operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are scheduled to resume in off-site locations throughout the province, with the first jury selections having been conducted this morning in Edmonton for jury trials commencing on September 14, 2020. The first scheduled jury trial in Calgary is slated to start on September 28, 2020.

As announced earlier, public health guidelines, including physical distancing requirements, mandated criminal jury selections and trials must occur at facilities outside of existing courthouses.

This is consistent with the recommendations of the Action Committee on Court Operations in Response to COVID-19, available at the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs website.

Jury summonses have already been issued in some jurisdictions, accompanied by a “Juror Summons and COVID-19 Information” pamphlet providing additional information about the precautions that are being implemented to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19.